same here mate, i almost went, but i was scamed before from the same place. good thing i googled it this time, think befoe google wasnt around as much as it is now.
Thank you all SO much for saving me time and trouble! I had written in to an ad looking for "all types" for a photo shoot depicting a couple's 50th wedding anniversary, supposedly wearing vintage clothing. Pay would be $125 for the day.
I got the call from NYMT at 212-268-8013, and the "receptionist" wanted to make an appointment, just as everyone else said. The only difference here is that I was directed to room as opposed to 203.
Horrible how these losers prey on people. Thank God for the internet and honest people sharing their experiences!!!
Yeah, I had an appointment w/World Model Talent for this morning, but something felt off from their phone call to me...I don't send to general agencies; I sent in for a specific job for a real company(Metro PCS), but they were calling me for a general meeting w/this "agency". The caller did not know what job I had sent my info in for.
Also: the call was very rushed--I couldn't really follow everything; she did not offer her name; when I asked, she id'd herself as Holly. No basic questions about me, like do I already have representation.
The number they called from was different than the ones reported by others, but very close (212-244-4431). Also, the Building and floor were the same but the room number was different(Room #216).
I went knowing it was a scam but really curious to see how things would go. I sent in an email saying I had absolutely no experience and was a chef looking for extra work. They called me immediately the next morning (212 268 8013) so I knew already it was weird but decided to go (unemployed at the moment). There was a doorman who was standing outside looking pretty shifty. He asked me if I was there for "W" (I had no idea what it was called just -- "224 West 35th, suite 216 -- see Mr. West anytime between 10 and 8?!!." I get up there and the atmosphere had a similar sleezy feel -- like a 42nd street peep show -- a dull-faced girl at a window much like a box office, asking you to fill out a very basic form. Then you're coraled into a tiny room to watch videos of MTV and escort service ads. When I got there there were two people and I immediately asked the girl next to me (who had been inside) if they ask you for money and she said, "well, yea, they want photos but I'm trying to be positive." I got up to walk away and she said, "but if you're here for extra work it's probably different." So I figured, what the hell -- it's an adventure. Then the room filled up with about 12 18-25 year olds. It made me feel really bad for these young people -- some of them seemed pretty savvy, too. Then Brad -- with his black T-shirt and blazer and his sleezy assistant -- who looked like Willem Defoe With cancer -- asked the whole group to come in. Brad was unshaven, slovenly, a real hustler. He spewed out his pitch really fast -- showing his casting list (with the movie Wall Street -- wasn't that like ten years ago?) and showed all these photos of people he repped who were making $20,000 a day -- and photos of himself on the wall with "pageant girls." He even had a "top" chef (just for my benefit). Then everyone goes back out to wait and he meets with each person individually. I was first (thank god!). It was funny, too, how he did a head count (figuring, most likely, that he could make at least $100 a head in say, two hours for each cattle call -- at that point about 15 people). Anyway -- he starts fast-talking about how I'm perfect because I'm older and he can get me out today for Law & Order but he needs to do my headshots for $99. I tell him this whole thing doesn't sit well with me -- "the first thing you do is ask me for money for headshots and "registering, I've seen this kind of scam before. I'm looking to make money not spend it." He's got Igor in the back with his crappy photo set-up. Anyway -- I tell him I have my own headshots and he says I would still have to register and he can get me work that afternoon. I say "with no experience? -- you're going to send me out and get me work with absolutely no experience. And why do I need headshots for Extra work with "real people?" He really tried to sell me, and was pretty relentless despite my reluctance, which surprised me because I was so much older -- if I were him I might have suspected I was someone from Fox News or something -- the guy is not really that crafty -- pretty stupid -- but then again, so can we all be when we're desperate for money and some, for "fame." Anyway -- I said, forget it and went to walk through the door I came in from (where all the people were waiting) and it was locked and he says, really fast, "oh, no, out this way" which is through the back so of course you can't talk to any of the others before you leave. Even once we are out in the hallway he says to me "how about $75, or $50...." I couldn't believe it. He couldn't even disguise his greed. What a pig.